Iran charges five wildlife activists with capital offences

Allegations of spying are unfounded, says government, as UN expresses alarm

Five environmentalists have been charged in Iran with national security crimes punishable by death, in a development the UN environment head said was deeply troubling.

The activists from the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation were arrested in January alongside at least four other people, and face allegations of spying, which human rights campaigners and Iran's own government say are unfounded.